Man from Jamaica Pleads Guilty to Defrauding California Woman of $181K

A Jamaican man pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges for running a seven-year sweepstakes scam that defrauded a California woman of more than $180,000, prosecutors confirmed.

On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 35-year-old Dwayne Anderson of Hanover, Jamaica, entered his plea on Friday in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.

Arrest and Extradition

Jamaican authorities arrested Anderson in July 2024 after a U.S. indictment charged him with eight counts of wire fraud. He was later extradited to the United States and jailed pending trial.

“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting Americans from the threats posed by transnational criminals and will vigorously pursue them, wherever they are located,”
said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the DOJ’s Civil Division.
“Anderson is the latest example in the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat these kinds of foreign-based schemes and hold those involved accountable.”

How the Scam Worked

According to the plea agreement:

Anderson admitted running the scam from 2010 through September 2017.
He used phony names and contacted the victim by phone, text, and email.
He falsely claimed the woman had won millions in a sweepstakes.
He convinced her to send money for fees and taxes.
He repeatedly asked for more money, promising she would receive her winnings.

The victim ultimately lost $181,000 but never received any prize money.

DOJ’s Response

Authorities did not disclose the victim’s location in California.

“Whether it happens in a rural community or a metropolitan area, the Department of Justice will ensure these criminals are held to account for their shameless targeting of vulnerable individuals and their hard-earned savings,”
said U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota.